The gift-giving days are over and it's time to travel more. You may need to take a break after the holiday craziness.

January is a great time to plan a trip to the beach or mountains. You can travel to many international destinations in the new year. It's easier to hit the road now that most places have lifted all COVID-19 restrictions.

The flu, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus can ruin a vacation, even with more accessibility. Check out the latest recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention if you want to get the flu shot.

What should you do? The best places to go in January are listed here.

Minneapolis

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Minneapolis might not be on your list of destinations in January.

The locals don't hibernate when the temperature drops in the Twin Cities. They are at a festival.

The 10-day festival takes place in January and February. Hundreds of thousands of people come to Minneapolis and St. Paul in the dead of winter to see it.

Minneapolis has a lot of different activities for visitors. There are 22 frozen lakes and you can glide on them with a pair of skates or cross country skis. Kites are flying on the lake.

The James Beard Award-winning Owamni by the Sioux Chef is one of the best restaurants in the country. Everyone is talking about it being the state's first Native American restaurant.

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The new Four Seasons is one of the many accommodations available. Festivalgoers can get 15% off at the Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel. Rates start at $150 per night or 20,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

San Diego

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It's a good place to go for a winter break. There are some special events in January that will make it worthwhile to book a trip.

The San Diego Brew Festival will feature over 70 breweries, 200 beers, 10 of San Diego's best food trucks, and more.

The Borrego Springs Film Festival is one of the most popular events in San Diego.

There are more than 20,000 gray whales that migrate from Alaska to the lagoons of Baja California in January. The migration path leads to 70 miles of coastline in San Diego.

The Andaz San Diego is located in the bustling Gaslamp Quarter and can be booked from 12,000 World of Hyatt points. It is close to many of the main attractions.

There are a lot of things to do in San Diego.

Los Angeles

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The Los Angeles Zoo is open during the night for Animals Aglow, a holiday tradition.

The lighting displays draw inspiration from the zoo's wild residents.

January is one of the cheapest months to visit the city. The average round-trip airfare is less than CarRentals.com's average hotel night.

If you stay at the Los Angeles/Universal City hotel, you can get 61,000 points for each night you stay.

There are a lot of fun things to do in Los Angeles.

St. Barts

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One of the most popular months to visit St. Barts is January.

The beaches are beautiful. The 39th annual St. Bart's Music Festival takes place in January. The festival is a great place to go to listen to music.

Some of the world's most prominent classical, opera, ballet and jazz stars come from Montreal, Boston, New York, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, London and Paris.

You can stay at the luxurious Hotel Barriere Le Carl Gustaf for $2,200 or 100,400 Chase Ultimate rewards points. There is another option. The Tropical Hotel St Barth has rooms that cost between $905 and 63,000 Chase Ultimate rewards points.

Boone, North Carolina

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This charming North Carolina mountain town has a healthy living resolution to kick off. What's the reason? The Art of Living retreat center is located there.

Travelers can take part in various programs and workshops, yoga and meditation classes, outdoor activities, spa treatments and healthy cuisine at this retreat.

There is a chance to learn new routines in the new year. The retreat center offers various workshops for guests to improve themselves. Breathwork retreats, silent retreats, and other opportunities can be enjoyed by guests.

You can also visit the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Living History Museum.

If you don't want to stay at the Retreat Center or want to extend the trip, you can book a room at the Holiday Inn in the University Area for $125 or 20,000 I hgone rewards points a night.

There are four road trips you can take from Charlotte.

Sri Lanka

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Travelers will get plenty of sunshine and minimal rain in January, making it the ideal time to visit Sri Lanka. You won't be able to see the tourists in December.

You should go to tea country to see it. The tea plantation industry in Sri Lanka started in the 19th century. The country's cool temperatures and heavy rains make it an ideal place to harvest tea.

If you want to explore the rolling hills on foot or by bike, you can go to Cape Weligama, where you can see the Indian Ocean. The fortress city of Galle is a UNESCO world heritage site.

The nature-focused experience can be enhanced by staying at the hotel. A birdwatcher's dream is to be close to Weerawila Tissa Sanctuary andBundala National Park. It's possible to stay here for as little as $90 a night.

Here's why it's the right time to visit Srilanka.

Khao Yai, Thailand

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January is a good month to visit Thailand.

The destination is one of the cheapest places to stay. It costs an average of $65 per night to stay in a hotel room in Thailand.

It takes about three hours to get to the park. One of the largest national parks in Thailand, Khao Yai is a landscape of forest and grassland that offers an escape from the world.

The preserve is one of the richest in Thailand and has miles of hiking and biking trails. Elephants, hornbills, gibbons, and bears can be seen here.

The InterContinental Khao Yai Resort is a reincarnation of the golden age of rail travel. The rooms are available for a low price.

Park City, Utah

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Park City is a great place to escape during the winter. The snow is at its best in January.

One of the biggest Hollywood events this month is if you do not want to shred some powder. A lot of A-listers descend on the charming ski town to show off their new films, lead discussions with fans and throw some epic parties at the film festival.

You can discover Utah Olympic Park, explore the buzzing Main Street, book a spa treatment, and have an experience at the Alpine Distilling Social Aid and Pleasure Club. January is a good time to visit.

The AC Hotel Park City is located less than 10 minutes from the ski slopes and 15 minutes from the downtown area.

There are points and miles to be found in Park City.